Delbert Vernon Griiffin

GRIFFIN — Delbert Vernon, 84; born May 12, 1931, National City, Calif.; died July 20, 2015, Pendleton, Ore. Surviving: wife, LaVonna (Kruse) Griffin; sons and daughters-in-law, Delbert E. and Donna Griffin, Pendleton; Keith and Pam Griffin, Pendleton; Dan and Marrea Griffin, Kuna, Idaho; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Val Baker, Sunset, Utah; sister-in-law, Jeanine Griffin, Walla Walla, Wash.; 11 grandchildren, Carman Roberts, Laurie Halverson, Erin Griffin, Jason Griffin, Chad Griffin, Travis Griffin, Hannah Griffin, Shane Parker, Trisha Lagao, Tyler Reusser, Alexandria Reusser; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Delbert was born May 12, 1931, to Merle and Mamie Griffin. He graduated from Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho, and attended Walla Walla University in College Place, Wash. He married LaVonna Kruse Oct. 21, 1951, in College Place.

In 1952, he was inducted into the Army, spending basic training in Virginia, Texas and Washington. The remainder of his service time was at the Letterman Army Hospital, San Francisco, Calif.

In 1954, he was employed at Harris Pine Mills in Pendleton, Ore. He filed saws and eventually went into the maintenance department as a machinist and supervisor. When Harris Pine Mills closed in 1991, he worked at Blue Mountain Forest Products until his retirement in 1996.

He especially enjoyed working with the youth of the church in the Pathfinder Club. He spent well over 40 years as a counselor, teacher and leader. He had many hobbies, rock collecting, cutting and polishing being one of his favorites. He liked trading rocks he collected for rocks from around the world. He enjoyed camping with family and friends, either in the mountains or at the beach. His interests ranged from antiques, restoring old cars, digging for old bottles, building things from iron and stamp collecting. He often said that if you have two of an item, you have a collection. He liked to share his interests with others.

His love for his family, church and his sense of humor remained with him to the end.